Kalimpong election result 2026: BJP's Bharat Chettri defeats BGPM's Ruden Sada Lepcha by 21,464 votes

In West Bengal's Kalimpong constituency, BJP's Bharat Chettri defeats BGPM's Ruden Sada Lepcha by 21,464 votes. In the 2026 assembly elections, Chetri secured 84,290 votes. Meanwhile, Lepcha secured 62,826 votes. Bhernone Britto Lepcha (Independent) secured 14,231 votes.Kalimpong is a constituency in Kalimpong district of West Bengal, nestled in the hill region of northern Bengal. In 2026, the candidates include Ruden Sada Lepcha of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), Bharat Chettri of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Santa Kumar Pradhan of the Congress.In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the constituency was won by Ruden Sada Lepcha of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), who contested with the support of the TMC alliance. He defeated his nearest rival from the BJP by a margin of around 2,500 votes. The close margin highlighted the competitive nature of hill politics and the influence of local parties in shaping outcomes.The constituency is predominantly urban and semi-urban, with a mix of rural settlements in the surrounding areas. The local economy relies on horticulture, agriculture, tourism, and small-scale trade, and includes a unique demographic composition of Nepali-speaking communities and tribal populations. Key issues centre on infrastructure including road connectivity, water supply, and electricity, as well as tourism and horticulture-based livelihoods, which require sustained policy support and development initiatives.The constituency went to polls on April 23, as part of Phase 1. Kalimpong district recorded a voter turnout of 83.04%.